Kyshona Knight will join her twin sister Kycia in the West Indies Women’s team for the ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this month.
Kyshona, a left-handed batter and right-arm seamer, is the only newcomer in the 15-member squad which was unveiled on Thursday.
Kycia, a left-handed batter and wicketkeeper, made her international debut last year and was a member of the team that reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Tournament last year in Sri Lanka.
The team will be led by experienced wicket-keeper Merissa Aguilleira, who has been at the helm since 2010. The vice captain is all-rounder Stafanie Taylor, who won the ICC Women’s Player-of-the-Year award for the last two years.
“It is a great feeling to be selected in the West Indies team with my sister,” said Kyshona. “This is a dream for both of us.
“I wanted to join her from the time she made the team last year and I’m pretty excited right now that our dream of playing together for the West Indies has been realised. Not many sisters, especially twins, play the same sport and achieve similar success.”
The 20-year-olds have also represented their native Barbados in football (soccer) and track & field before they switched to cricket.
“Just seeing her playing and performing motivated me a lot try to make the team,” said Kyshona. “Now that I have achieved this, once I get to play, I intend to give it my best shot and try to help us win the World Cup and stay in the team as long as possible.”
Kycia was happy for her sister and best friend. She said: “I’m happy she made it. It is a great achievement for her. I tried to encourage her all the time and pushed her to work harder and meet the standard to make the team.”
The Windes Women will play in Group A alongside defending champions England, hosts India, and Sri Lanka. Group B will include Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.
FULL SQUAD:
Merissa Aguilleira (Captain)
Stafanie Taylor (Vice Captain)
Shemaine Campbelle
Shanel Daley
Deandra Dottin
Kycia Knight
Kyshona Knight
Natasha McLean
Anisa Mohammed
Subrina Munroe
Juliana Nero
June Ogle
Shaquana Quintyne
Shakera Selman
Tremayne Smartt
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